The girl I am, the change I lead: Girls on the frontlines of crisis.
Today, October 11, is the International Day of the Girl Child. Why is there an entire day dedicated to girls?
The International Day of the Girl Child, established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2011, is a heartfelt recognition of the unique challenges that girls face around the world. It serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of advocating for their rights and empowering them to overcome obstacles. Stemming from the global women’s rights movement, this day emphasizes the urgent need to tackle gender disparities and discrimination, ensuring that every girl has the opportunity to thrive and lead a fulfilling life.
According to UNICEF,
- Girls aged 15-19 are twice as likely as boys to not be in education, employment, or training. In fragile contexts, they’re nearly 90% more likely to be out of school than girls in stable settings.
- Nearly 1 in 4 girls aged 15-19 who have ever been in a relationship have experienced intimate partner violence.
- 1 in 5 young women aged 20-24 were married as children. In fragile settings, child marriage rates are almost double the global average.
- Crisis, conflict, and displacement all increase the risk of child marriage, sexual violence, and maternal mortality for girls.
- In the last 20 years, self-harm has been a leading cause of death among adolescent girls.
Today, we celebrate girls and advocate for their rights. This year’s theme is “The girl I am, the change I lead: Girls on the frontlines of crisis.” At GirlSpring, everything we do is to advocate for girls.
How Can You Support Girls?
- Share girls’ stories. Celebrate achievements and amplify their voices.
- Advocate for change. Demand policies that protect girls’ rights and empower them to lead.
- Create girl-led spaces. Support safe spaces where girls can connect, learn, and get the support they need, like here at GirlSpring.
- Lend your voice. Advocate for dedicated funding and programs to address the specific needs of girls in crisis, such as health, education, mental well-being, and support for all girls.
The future is female, yes, but every woman was once a little girl.
Take some time today to reach out to young girls and let them know they are not alone. Whether it is body image, peer pressure, or general anxieties about their future, little girls are expected to manage a lot with little recognition. Girls must support other girls, especially in a society where our rights are at risk. GirlSpring strives to create a safe community for girls to express themselves, support other girls’ work, and learn about tough topics from peers who understand.
